Washington Nationals’ Adam LaRoche named Gold Glove winner at first base - MLB Update
While shortstop Ian Desmond failed, Adam LaRoche is successful in clinching the Gold Glove Award as first baseman. LaRoche brings another laurel for the Nationals by winning this honour.
By the time Desmond was included in the list of the contenders, fans were excited to see him becoming a second player in the recent history of the Nationals to claim Gold Glove honour. Previously only Ryan Zimmerman ever won this Award as the Nationals.
As Jimmy Rollins took this Award, Desmond could not claim the distinction.
The fact LaRoche gets the Gold Glove as the first baseman can make the Nationals proud now.
LaRoche has been incredible in the field during 2012 regular season. For a side which consists mainly of young players, LaRoche was supposed to lead the fielding crew from the front. By living up to the challenges, he has set an example for the emerging
stars in the team.
LaRoche can turn out to be an inspiration for the likes of Bryce Harper and Desmond.
Desmond will be looking out at areas where he needs improvements to make sure he is even more impressive next year with regard to defence. While he could not win Gold Glove this year, he will be setting an objective to grab it in the upcoming season.
Immediately after the announcement of the Award for LaRoche, the Nationals issued a press release which detailed the defensive contributions of the first baseman in the season.
"[Adam] LaRoche led all National League first baggers this season in fielding percentage (.995), games started (149) and innings (1323.1). At 6.1, LaRoche also paced NL first basemen (min. 1000 innings) in Ultimate Zone Rating, a figure that blends the number
of runs above or below average a fielder is in three categories: range runs, double play runs, and error runs combined. He also led the NL with 159 plays made and 38 plays made out of zone (OOZ),” Washington Nationals stated in a press release.
The Nationals explained various categories in which LaRoche was a leading performer in the National League.
LaRoche will be hoping that he stays as part of the Nationals next year and earns the contract extension in the offseason.
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